Article conditioning shakeout tumbler



ARTICLE CONDITIONING SHAKEOUT TUMBLER Skim/wang All@ 19 1941. l E. D, PURKETT 2,253,047

ARTICLE CONDITIONING SHAKEOUT TUMBLER wu cw fam/fa Paf/fm Wlan/M443 AU@ 19, 1941- E. D. PURKETT 2,253,047

ARTICLE CONDITIONING lSHAKEOUT TUMBLER Aug. 19,. 1941. E. D. PURKETT K ARTICLE CONDITIONING SHAKEOUT TUMBLER 4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Oct. 1, 1958 Paiement; 1e, i941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE* t 2,253,041 y y .sIrrxcLa CONDITIONING sHAxI-:on'r

' mummia Y noma n. Parkett. Joplin, Mo. Application october 1, 193s, sei-lax No. 232,873

1s claim.. (ci. sii- 131) This invention relates to laundry shake-out tumblers and is an improvement over the construction shown in my prior Patent No. 2,067,543, granted January 12, 1937. y

It is the common practice in laundries to wring and twist such articles as towels, sheets and numerous others to substantially reduce the water therein prior to ironing the articles. The articles formerly were subjected to a rather severe shaking-out to loosen them preparatory to feeding them `to the ironers to facilitate'the ironing operation. In my prior patent referred to I have disclosed a construction which is particularly adapted for shaking-out articles of the character referred to prior to feeding them to the ironers, the prior construction comprising a tumbler which is rotated on its axis to successively lift and drop the articles within the tumposition and relatively high in its discharging' lposition to facilitate the discharging of theloosened articles on a suitable tableor the like. A hand wheel is arranged at each side of the tumbler to facilitate turning it between its loading and unloading positions.

The structure ci.' my prior patenthas proved highly successful in operation for its intended purpose, namely, shaking-out articles of clothl ing and the like while damp preparatory to feed' disclosed in my prior patent referred to which improvements through -4 which either Aor both the moisture content and embodies important the heat oi. the articles may be readily controlled so that the wrinkles and creases in the articles will straighten out more readily when ironed.

Afurther object is to provide a novel apparatus of the character referred to wherein the moisture content of the articles may be materially reduced to permit the lroners to dry the articles more'rapidly while they are being ironed.

A further object is to provide an apparatus oi' the character referred to which permits the articles to be relatively highly heated thus preventing them from tending to cool and thus re duce the eiciency of the ironers.

A further object is to provide an apparatus having novel readily controllable means associated therewith whereby the moisture content of the articles may be reduced to any desired paint to reduce the amount of moisture which must be removed by the ironers, and, after the moisture has been properly reduced, to heat the articles before feeding them to the ironers whereby the latter are permitted to perform their work much more rapidly and eilicientiy.

A further object is to provide novel means for maintaining a circulation of heatedair through the tumbler and wherein the circulating means may be readily disconnected from a part of the A tumbler to permit the latter to swing between its loading and discharging positions.

` A further object is to provide a heating ap-l paratus in commotion with the circulating o means and to provide the circulating means with tory to being ironed. 4

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the character referred to wherein the tumbler and Aassociated parts are so constructed as to force the air pumped into the' tumbler to pass through the articles therein to thereby permit the moisture content and` temperature of the articles to be more quickly and readily controlled.

A further object is to provide novel loading means associated with the tumbler to facilitate the loading of the tumbler when a portion of the circulating 'system is disconnected therefrom.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

` In the drawings I have shown one --ir I of the invention.. In this rv-1l' Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in normal operating position.

\ view online but of Figure e, parts being shown in elevation, p

Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the apparatus., parte being broken away, v

vFigure fi is a sectional view'taken substann tially on line lf-'i oi' Figure 5.

y Figure 8 is a central vertical sectional View throughthe apparatus taken on line d-d o? Figure 4,

Figure e is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view on line eof Figure 2, and..

Figure is a detail side elevation of the damper control handle and associated parts.

Referring to the drawings the numeral It designates a pair of main base or supporting members preferably formed of angle section and provided with adjustable supporting screws il to permit the apparatus to be properly leveled on its supporting. surface. The apparatus is pro-1 vided at each side with e. pair of relatively heavy vertical supporting frame members I2 the lower ends of which are preferably welded to the base members I t. The frame members i2 at the front end of the apparatus are braced with respect to each other by upper and lower preferably tubular members I3 and id while the frame members I2 adjacent the rear of the apparatus are similarly braced by preferably tubular brace which is secured to and extends beyond'the plate 3a for a purpose to be described. The forward end of the tumbler is formed conical 'as at 33 and is provided with a relatively large opening ad through which the tumbler may be loaded and unloadedin a manner to be described. The interior of the tumbler is preferably providedwith ribs de to assist in lifting and dropping articles to provide the desired tumbling action. rEhe tumbler has the cylindrical wall 32 thereof surrounded by an annular grooved member ad form ing a pulley for the reception of a belt el preferably of the filetype. This belt is driven by a small motor d@ secured to one of the disks 2i as shown in res i and 6.

i plate ila (Figure 8) is arranged rearwardly of and spaced from the plate 89 and is carried by the shell 2d in any suitable manner. The periphery of the plate 39 is provided with an annular angedt concentric with the cylindri cal wall e2 of the tumbler. The adjacent end of the wall 32 extends within the ange" d@ and suitable packing ci is arrangedbetween these members I5 and i6. The frame mbers I2 at v each side of the apparatus may be suitably braced with respect to each other by horizontal channel members il.

The upper ends `of the frame members I2 atv each side of the apparatus are connected to each other by horizontal angle members I8, one of thesemembers being omitted from Figure 4 for the purpose of illustration. Each of the members- I8 forms a support for a bearing I8 in` each of which is mounted a st ub shaft 20 secured at itsinner end to supporting disks 2|. Each of these'disks is provided with an annular member 22 forming a hand wheel for a purpose to ybe described and secured to the disks as at 23.

A relatively heavy supporting member 24 (Figure 6) is connected between and preferably welded at its ends to the disks 2|. The member 24 forms a support for a purpose to be described length, the bracemember 241s provided with a. preferably cylindrical shell 26 -in which is arranged a bearing structure 21 rotatably supporting a stub shaft 28. The inner end of the stub shaft- 28 is secured to -a cup-#like member 29 which, in turn, is preferably welded to a back -and also braces the disks 2| with respect to each v other.- and a supplemental brace member 25 for. 'these disks is preferably arranged at a. point spaced above the member 24. y' Centrally of its' plate 30 forming apart of a tumbling drum inpreferably imperforate wall 32 the rear edge of 75 velements to form a reasonably leak-proof joint.

The plate 39 p1' avides a manifold by forming a:

charged therefrom, the 'tumbler is rotated in a clockwise direction from the position shown in lsolid lines in Figure 2 tothe position shown in dotted lines. The turning movement of the tumbler between its loading and discharging po- "sitions takes place about the common axis of bers of each disk 2| corresponding to the angle through which the tumbler is turned between its'loading and discharging positions.

A locking device is provided for the stop members 43 and 44 of each disk 2|. As shown in Figure 2 a spring member 45 has one end securedto a bracket 46 carried by each of the forward .frame members I2 and is provided adjacent its free end with a pair of locking cams 41 and 48, these members lhaving their remote ends sloping downwardly to provide cam surfaces engageable by one of the'locking members 43 or 44 depending upon the direction of turning movement of the tumbler. The adjacentI ends of the members 41 and 48 `are spaced apart as shown in Figure 2, and a stopmember 49 is arranged centrally between'the members 41 and 48 for a purpose to x be described. 'I'he structures'ofy the members forming the latchingvmechanism just described may be identical lwith Ithe structures of the corresponding elements in my prior patent and form no part per se of the present invention.

Means are provided for releasing the latch members 41 and 48 and for controlling other parts of the apparatus to be described. Referring to Figures/2, 4, 5 and 6 the numeral 50 deslgnatesa shaft' extending transversely of the apparatus and having its central portion offset downwardly as at 5| (Figure 6) to clear certain parts of the apparatus as will become apparent. The shaft 50 may be journalled at its ends in bearings 52 carried by the main supporting members Il. The ends of the shaft 59 are respectively provided with pedals 53 and I4 projecting toward the rear lof the apparatus and having their forward ends preferably counterbalanced'as at 55. Each pedal is provided with a rod 55 connected at its upper end to the free end ofl the associated spring member 45, as shown in Figure 2. 'I'he pedal 53 is also employed for controlling other parts of theapparatus, as will be described.

The principal feature of the present apparatus lies in the means for circulating air through the tumbler, and this air may be continuous fresh air from the outside, or it may be air continuously recirculated through the tumbler, or it may be partially made up of recirculated air and fresh air from the outside. It is this means which permits the ready controlling of the moisture content of the articles in the tumbler, as -wel1 as the controlling of the temperature of the articles, for the purposes stated. Referringto Figures 6 and 8 it will be noted that a pair of horizontal supporting rails 51 extend between the transverse supports I4 and I9. The members 51 may be directly connected at their forward ends to the transverse members |4, while the rear ends of the members 51 are secured to the members I8 by spacers 59. 'Ihe members 51 carry a rectangular supporting frame 59 (Figure 8) on which is mounted a motor 89. This motor drives a centrifugal blower 9| rotatable in a housing 62 to which air is fed axially through an inlet 93.

Air is supplied to the blower housing from the manifold 42 through a conduit 9H (Figures 6 and 8) the lower end of the conduit 94 turning inwardly toward the inlet 63 as at 65 and terminating in a circular flanged end secured to the inlet 63 through a preferably packed joint.`

The upper end of the conduit 94 turns inwardly toward the plate 39 and has its end substantially rectangular as shown in Figure 6. The plate 39 is provided with an outlet opening 58 (Figure B) communicating with the conduit 84 and the adjacent portions of the plate 39 and conduit 54 are provided with annular flanges 81 between which is arranged a circular packing member 68. cross-section as shown, in which case the adjacent faces of the flanges 81 will be similarly shaped. The packing member 98 may be secured to either of the flanges 51 and ispreferably car-` ried by the flange at the upper end of the conduit 84. It will be apparent that the conduit 94 is stationary, and accordingly when the tumbler turns about the axis 29 from the position shown in Figurek, the opening 88 moves away from the upper end of theconduit 64. 'These elements reassume the positions shown in Figure 8 when the tumbler is returned to its normal position,

The blower housing 82 is provided with a tangential outlet 89 (Figure 6) and a conduit 19 connects this outlet to a duct 1| extending along the side of the apparatus, the connection of the conduit 19 and duct 1| being clearly shown in Figure 7. The conduit 19 continues transversely toward the outside of the apparatus as at 12 and then turns upwardly to form a discharge stack 13 which preferably extends to the outside of the building to discharge moisture-laden heated air as will become apparent. A damper 14 (Figure '1) is mounted on a vertical shaft 15 to'control This packing member may be circular in cupies the solid lineposition shown `in Figure 7, all of the airdischarged fromy the-outlet of the blower will pass through the duct 1 I, while movement of the damper to the dotted line position shown in Figure 'I will result in all of the air passing from the blower being discharged through the stack. Obviously the damper 14 may be placed in any intermediate position to discharge part of the air and recirculate the remainder of the air. The means for controlling the shaft 15 will be referred to later.

Toward theforward end of the apparatus, the duct 1| is materially enlarged as at 12 and a heat exchanging device indicated as a whole by the `numeral 13 is arranged in the rear end of the enlarged duct portion 12. The heat exchange device may be of any desired type -and is shown in the present instance as comprising upper and lower headers 14I connected by pipes 15 (Figures 5 and 7) to which are connected heat radiating fins 18. Steam or hot water is circulated through the heat exchange device in any desired manner and for this purpose the device 13 is provided with inlet and outlet pipes 11 and 18 connected to the headers 14. Accordingly air passing forwardly through the duct 1l will become relatively highly heated.

A vertical shaft 19 is mounted within the enlarged duct portion 12 and the bottom of the latter carries a thrust bearing in which the lower end of the shaft is arranged. The shaft lprojects from the open top of the duct portion 12 as shown in Figure 5. An annular flange 8| is arranged in the opentop of the duct and is provided with spider arms 82 supporting a bearing 83 in which the shaft 19 is rotatable. An annular flange 84 is arrangedv above the flange 8| and corresponds in size thereto, the adjacent edges of these flanges being machined and arranged in contact with each other to provide ay reasonably leak-proof joint; lThe flange 94 is provided with a hub 85 connected thereto by spider arms 86 and the hubV is secured to the shaft 19 by a set screw 81. It will be apparent that rotation of the flange 84 will rotate the ,shaft 19, the latter turning in the bearings 99 and 83. 4

As shown in Figure '7 the forward end of the duct portion 12 is semicircular in cross-section as at 88 and the shaft 19 is arranged coaxially therein.' A substantially semi-circular wall 99 is concentric with and forms a continuation of the wall 88 and is provided with an opening 90 through which air flowing through the duct 1| and duct portion 12 may flow into the forward end of the duct as defined by the walls 88 and 99. An arcuate damper 9| is connected tothe shaft 19 by arms 92. When the shaft 19 is arranged in its normal position to be described the opening 90 is uncovered bythe damper 9|, while turning movement of the shaft 19 to a second position to be described causes the damper 9| to closethe opening 99.

The conduit indicated as a whole by the numeral 93 conveys air from the duct previously described to the opening 34 of the tumbler. 'Ihe conduit 93 comprises a lower vertical section 94 secured to the flange 84, intermediate angularly arranged .sections 95 (Figure l). and a horizonw tally extending end 96 arranged coaxial with the tumbler 3|.

Referring to Figure 3. `the -end of the section 96 is provided'therein with a ring 91 carrying spider arms 99 to which is connected a bearing sleeve 99. A bearing member lll'is arranged within the sleeve and these inemlthe transverse brace member bers may be provided with anti-friction bearings therebetween.

A wheel |02 is arranged adjacent the conduit section 96 and is provided with spider arms |53 carrying a hub |04 to which is secured a` shaft |05, the inner end of this shaft being provided with a nut MI5' for clamping lthe hub ill@ to the inner `bearing member illl. Mie wheel m2 is angular in cross-section as clearly shown in packing member which engages a ange H2 forming a part of the conical wall 33 of the tumbler and'formed arcuate in cross-section to t the packing member The packing member may be secured either to the flange ||2 or to the adjacent portion of the plate |08 and is shown as being attached to the latter. During rotation of the tumbler, the plate |08 rotates with the tumbler about the axis of the shaft |55. However, this shaft connects the plate |68 to the conduit section 96 to be moved therewithaway from the tumbler upon rotation of the shaft 'IB (Figure 5) in a manner to be described.

The conduit 93 and parts connected thereto are latched in the normal operative positions shown in lsolid lines in the `drawings and are biased to the inoperative position shown in dotted lines in Figures 2 and 4 whereby they will automatically move to such positions when the latching means is released. 'I'he conduit section 94 is provided with an arm H3 (Figures 4 and 9) the free end of which is pivotally connected as at ||4 to one end of a rod H5 and the other end of this rod carries a plunger H5 operating in a cylinder The right hand .end

' of the cylinder as viewed in Figures 2 and 9 is provided with upper and lower arms H8 pivotally connected as at.||9\to a suitable bracket |25. The adjacent end of the cylinder H7 is provided with arestrlcted opening |2|. It will be obvious that the piston H8 and cylinder lil constitute a shock absorber for cushioning movement of the conduit 93 to the inoperative position shown in dotted lines in Figures 2 and 4, the area of the opening |2| governing the rate of movement of the piston H6.

- A tension spring |22 has one end connected to the lower of the two arms H8 and the other end of the spring is connected to the pivot pin ||4. This springv obviously tends to turn the' conduit 93 to its inoperative position. The vertical conduit section 94 is provided with an arcuate member |23 one end of 'which is engageable by a roller |24 when the conduit 93 is in Vits normal voperative position. The roller |24 ward movement ofthe pedal 54, not only releases the latch bars 45 but lalso swings the lever E26 to release the conduit 93 to permit the spring B22 to swing the=conduit` to its inoperative position. A

When the conduit te swings to its inopera tive position the damper 9| (Figure 7) closes the opening @d thus preventing any air from flowing through the conduit S3. Accordingly the opening @d is controlled automatically in accordance with the position of the conduit di?. However, the damper l5 (Figure 7) is under the control of the operator regardless of any other parts of the apparatus andmay be placed in any desired position according to the resultsl which it is desired to obtain. In this connec-n tion it will' be noted that when the damper id is movedl to the dotted line position shown in Figure 7 air will not be recirculated through the tumbler' and it is desirable to supply fresh air Y.

thereto. Accordingly the conduit 'll is provided l in one side thereof with an opening |35 and a is carried' by `a stem |25 secured to a lever |23.

this lever being pivotally connected as at |21 to |3. As shown in Figures 2, 4 and 9`the free epd of the lever |26 ispivotally connected as at |28 to one end of a rod |29 and the other end of Athis rod is connected as at |30 with the upper arm |3| of a bell crank lever |32.. The, horizontal arm of this lever is connected as 'at |33 to the upper end of a rod |34 and the lower end of this rod is connected to the pedal 53. Ac-

cordingly downward movement of the pedal 53.

which takes place simul-tarieous-lyv with down'- door |55 is adapted to close this opening. The damper it and door |36are rigidly connected to each other and may be integral, and both gre connected to-the shaft l5 to be turned therei?. 1 As shown in Figures l4 and 10 the upper end of the shaft l5 is provided with a crank arm |37 the free endof which is pivotally connected as at |39 to a rod |39 and this rod is connected as at |50 to the upper end of a lever |4| having a handle |52 at its upper end. The lever |4| is pivotally connected at its lower end to a plate '|43 carried by one of the supports l2. The upper edge of the plate |43 is formed concentric with the pivot of the lever |4l and is notched as at idd to receive a detent |45 carried by the lever Edi and operable by a handle |46 at the upper end thereof. The detent may be arranged in selected notches |44 lin accordance with the desired positions of the damper 14 and doorv |35.

A novel mechanism is employed for feeding articles to the tumbler, and such mechanism is particularly adapt-ed for use with the present mechanism. A bucket or'tub |41 is mounted adjacent the front of the machine and normally occupies the position shown in Figure 8. The mechanism for supporting the tubds such that it is adapted to be swung upwardly to dump articles into the tumbler.- Referring .to Figures 2, 4 and 8, the tub is provided with a pair of reinforcing ribs |48 and adjacent the top of the bucketl-anarm |49 projects -angularly upwardly toward the tumbler from each of the reinforcing members |49. A pair of links |53 are plvotally connected at their upper ends as at |5| to the free ends of the respective members |49 and lthe `lower ends of the links |50 are connected to a shaft |52 journaled in bearings |53. These bearings are carried by upright members |54 whichv are connected at their upper and lower ends to4 thevrespective cross braces I3 and |4. A stop'block |55 is carried each vertical support one of the links |50 scribed.

When the tub is in the normal position shown in solid lines in Figure 8 it is supported in such position by a pair of parallel varms |59 their lower end s connected by an arcuate |51 secured to the tub adjacent the bottom edge thereof. The free ends of the arms are provided |54 and is engageable by for a purpose to be deby the upper end of having saddle respective vertical members |54 to limit the outward movement of the arms |55 away from the apparatus as a whole. An angle member |59 is connected between the arms |55 and has its lower flange apertured for the passage of a pair of rods |50 as shown in Figure 8. Each of the rods |50 is pivotally connected at its upper end as at to one of angular arms |49, and each rod is provided at its lower end with a stop nut |52 engageable against the bottom of the angle member |59 to limit the swinging movement of the tub |41 to a dumping position, as will become apparent. At the side opposite the apparatus as a whole, the tub is provided with a handle |53 adapted to be grasped by the operator to swing the tub to dumping position.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: Assuming that a load of laundered articles are to be placed in the tumbler, and assuming that I the tumbler has just ,discharged a batch of clothes and is in the dotted line position shown in Figure 2, the operator will depress either of the pedals 53 or 54.' These pedals are connected together to be simultaneously moved upon actuation of each pedal aspreviously-explained. the

i pedals -being fixed to each other by the transverse shaft 55., Upon operation of either pedal, therefore, both rods 55 (Figure -6) will be pulled downwardly and accordingly both of the resilient latch bars 45 will have their free ends pulled downwardly, thus releasing the catch V4 9 from the locking member 44,' which will vbe arranged between the latch 49 and stop member 41 when the tumbler is in the discharging position.

It will be noted Vthat when the tumbler is in the discharging position the motor 38 will be arranged a substantial distance to the left of the axis of the trunnions 30, thus greatly unbalancing the tumbler and biasing the tumbler for turning movement in a counter-clockwise direction from its unloading position. Upon thede- .pressing of either pedal 52 or 54, therefore, one

of the immediate results is the releasing of the tumbler for swinging movement back to its normal position "as shown in solid lines in most of the figures of the drawings. The tumbler will be so overbalanced that when it is released in the manner stated it will swing completely to the normal positionv` referred to, and assuming that the pedal mechanism has been released prior to the tumbler reaching its normal position, the lock member 4I, as it approaches the position shown in` Figure `2, will engage the cam surface ofthe latch 41, thus depressing the latch against turning movement in one direction while the stop member 49 will lock it against turning 'movement in the opposite direction.

Other and very important functions are accomplished by the depressing of theA pedal 59 in the 4manner previously described.Y The action y A referred to not only'releases the tumbler to permit it to return -to its normal position, but also pulls downwardly on the rod |34 (Figures 2 and 6) thus turning the bell crank lever |32 in a` clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2 to transmit a pull to the rod |29. nected'to the free end of the lever |25 (Figures 4 and 9) and accordingly this lever will be turned This rod is conabout its axis to release the roller |24 from the y adjacent end of the arcuate locking member |25. Upon the releasing of the rollery |24 in the manner stated, the tension spring |22, acting through the arm ||3 will immediately swing the conduit member 93 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 4 and 9, the conduit section 94 being carried by and turning on the axis of the shaft 19. -As previously stated, the plate |09 (Figures 3 and 8), while rotatable with the tumbler. is carried'by the adjacent end of the conduit 93 and accordingly swings therewith to the dotted line position shown in Figure 4 under theconditionsdescribed. Accordingly the opening 94 in the conical end of lthe tumbler .will be opened ready to receive the laundered articles in a manner to be described. At the same time, the rotation of the shaft 19 (Figure '1),

sumlng that the laundered articles are arranged in the tub I|41, the operator will grasp the handle |59 and swing the tub upwardly. This is accomplished by lifting the tub, and the links |50 (Figure) will swing about their lower ends until the links contact with the stop blocks |55 to limit the turning movementlof the links. The tub then continues to move upwardly and inwardly toward the tumbler, swinging about the pivots |5|. Just Vpriorto direct. engagement beftween the tub and the mouth of the tumbler, the nuts |52 will contact with the angle member |59, thus preventing any further movement of the tub ytoward the tumbler and preventing the tub from striking against the tumbler. tion, moreover, brings the movement of the tub to a sudden stop with the tub in the dotted line position shown in Figure 8, and accordingly the articles will be dumped into the tumbler.

The apparatus .is now ready to perform its norposition behind the arcuate member |23, thuslocking the conduit 93 in its normal operative position. i

The motor 951s continuously operated regard'- less of the bodily movement of the tumblerbe'# tween the loading and discharging positions. After the articles have been loaded into the tumbler the latter continues to rotate on the horizontal axis of the shaft |05 (Figure 3), the tumbler being in its normal operative position. The ribs 35 successively lift and drop the articles in the tumbler, thus greatly loosening the kinks and wrinkles which have been previously formed in the articles by thewringing operation. Thus the tumbler prepares the articles to be more readily andY effectively ironed, this operation being the same as the operation performed with the structure of my prior patent previously referred to.

The present construction is intended to supplement the tumbling action with other highly desirable functions. In the tumbling operation, as carried out in my prior apparatus. a substantial amount of moisture will be naturally evaporated from the articles. thus materially reducing their temperature. Accordingly when the articles are discharged from the tumbler they are fed to the ironers relatively cold and conse.. quently chill the ironers and retard and reduce the efficiency of the ironers. For efilciency, it is naturally desirable to run the ironers as rapidly as possible, and the feeding of cold articles to' -the same rate by the blower.

-32 and 33 of the tumbler 6 s the ironers obviously involves a substantial loss in time due tothe retarding of the speed of the ironing operation. Attempts have been madeof time for the heating proper amount of moisture for ironing. and the v mereheating of the articles to raise their temperature when fed to the ironers results in reducing the moisture content of the articles below the point at which eiiicient ironing can be performed. The present apparatus provides ei'- fective and readily controllable means for heatand moisture-conditioning the articles before leaving the tumbler so that the articles will be properly heated and will contain the proper amount of moisture when fed to the ironers, thus permitting the latter to perform their function more quickly and eiliciently.

Assuming that the articles fed to the tumbler contain the proper amount of moisture and it is desirable to retain such moisture while raising the temperature of the articles, the handle |42 will be pulled to the left as viewed in Figures '4 and 10 and engaged in the last notch |44. This operation will turn the damper 14 and door |36 to the positions shown in solid lines in Figure 7. Thus the outlet duct 10 of the blower will be entirely cut off from the exhaust stack 13 and will be placed in full communication with the duct 1l, the door |36 being completely closed to prevent outside air from entering the duct 1|. With all ofthe remaining parts in operative position it will be apparent that the blower will withdraw air from the tumbler through the perforations 33 and manifold 42, thence into the blower through the conduit 64. This air will be dischargedby the blower through the duct 10 and thence through the duct 1| where the air will be heated by the heat exchange device 13.

The heated air will then pass through the opening 90, the damper 9| being in open position, and the air will iiow upwardly through the conduit 93 to be discharged into the conical end of the tumbler.

As previously stated, the plate |08 (Figures 1 and 3) rotates with the tumbler and has its ,joint therewith sealed by the packing I I. The

opposite end of the tumbler is substantially sealed with respect to the stationary iiange 40 by the packing 4|.` Accordingly leakageof kair from the tumbler will be prevented. In this connection, it will be noted that there will be no tendency for air to leak from the tumbler since the pressure therein will not rise above atmospheric pressure, all oi' the air pumped to the tumbler having been withdrawn therefrom at Duringthe tumbling of the articles in the tumbler 3|, the heated air willy pass through the articles, to be discharged into the manifold 42 and accordingly the articles will become relatively highly heated. In this connection it will be noted that the walls are imperforate and it is necessary for at least a substantial proportion of the air to pass through the articles in order to reach the plate 30 -and pass through the openthe tumbler will then stack. At the same time, the door |36 will have` ings 33, Accordingly there is an effective pas- 76 sage of air through the articles to heat them while they `are being tumbled and loosened.

. It `will be apparent that under the conditions being considered the air pumped to and through the articles is the sane air which previously has been drawn from the tumbler by the blower. In other words the same air is continuously recirculated throughv the tumbler, no lfresh air from the outside being admitted to the apparatus. This ishighly important when loosening and heating articles which, when placed in the tumbler, contain approximately the correct amount 'of moisture for ironing. It will be apparent that upon agitation of the tumbling and heating action, some moisture will be taken up by the air, but the air soon becomes relatively saturated, thus substantially eliminating any further evaporation of moisture from the articles. The reduction or the elimination of evaporation serves very useful purposes. In the rst place, it main..

tains articles of the character referred to in the proper condition for ironing so far as moisture content is concerned since`it maintains the moisture content at vthe proper point by eliminating substantial evaporation. In the second place, the elimination of evaporation prevents any tendecy of the articles t'o become low-` ered in temperature, and accordingly it requires a minimum number o! heat units to raise the articles to the proper temperature for ironing and permits the heating operation to take place within a minimum length of time.

Assuming that the articles which have been placed in the tumbler are of the substantially heavy type which hold an excessive amount of moisture for proper ironing, it is desirable during the tumbling operation to reduce the amount of moisture to the proper4 extent and the present apparatus is particularly adapted i'or this purpose. When the tumbler is loaded with lrelatively wet articles of this character, the handleI |42 may be moved to the extreme righthand position as viewed in Figure 10,` and this opera'- tion will swing the damper 14 (Figure 7) to the dotted line position, thus entirely disconnecting the conduit 1|) from the duct 1| and :connecting it to the stack 13. All

be discharged through the been moved to the dotted line position shown in Figure 7, thus opening the duct 1| to the outside air.

Under such conditions the tumbler may be rotated by the motor 38 to perform the tumbling action as described, and during this operation all of the air withdrawn from the tumbler through the conduit 64 (Figure 8) will be discharged through the stack 13 and this air will be replaced by air flowing through the door |36 into the duct 1| lto be heated by the heat exchange device 13. 'I'his relatively dry heated air will pass into the tumbler through the conduit 93 and will take up moisture from the wet articles to be subsequently discharged through the stack 13. 'I'his arrangement of parts is maintained until the moisture content of the articles in the tumbler has been reduced to the desired extent, the moisture-laden air being discharged through the stack while fresh evaporate moisof the air withdrawn Irom the functions described above in connection with the tumbling of rarticles containing the proper amount of moisture for ironing. The same air will be continuously recirculated to relatively highly heat the articles for ironing without effecting any further material reduction in the moisture content. `When the proper temperature of the articles is` reached, they are ready for ironing as willfbe apparent.

`If desired, heavy relatively wet articles may be loosened in the tumbler while the damper 14 and door |36 are held in an intermediate position instead of first being turned to the dotted line position in Figure 7 and vsubsequently to the solid line position after the moisture reduced to the proper point. damper are placed in the intermediate position referred to, part of the moisture-laden air will be discharged from the stack and part will be recirculated, while the partial opening of the door |36 will admit some outside air into the duct 1|. Under such conditions, the reduction in the water content of the articles will be slower, but on the other hand, the lower rate of evaporation of moisture will h'ave less tendency to reduce the temperature of the articles. Under such conditions, both the heating 'and moisture-reducing operations will take place simultaneously and will require about the same length of time as the two separate operations previously described of first reducing the moisture content of the articles and then heating them. When the tumbling, heating and moisture reducing operations have been completed it is desirable to discharge the articles from the rtumbler prior to placing-a new batch of articles therein. The tumbler will have been latched in operative position during the tumbling operation in the manner previously described and it will be apparent that the motor 38 will be arranged to the right of the axis of the trunnions 20 as viewed in Figures 2, 4 and 8. Accordingly the tumbler will be unbalanced to bias it away from its normal position in the Same manner that it is biased from its discharging position as previously described. When it isy desired to discharge the articles, therefore, the operator will depress one of the pedals 53 or 54, in which case the conduit 93 will be released to swing to its in-4 operative position previously described, while the latch 41 (Figure 2) will be released from the stop 43 and the tumbler will startte rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 2 and 8.

It will be apparent that rotation of thevtumbler in a clockwise direction about the trunnions 26 i (Figure 8) causes the outlet opening 66 to swing away from the adjacent end of the conduit 64, the latter being stationary as previously described. The unbalancing of the tumbler swings it away from its normal operative position but the biasing force is not sufcient to move the tumbler completely to the discharging position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. Accordingly, before the tumbler loses momentum, the operator may grasp the hand rail 22' and impart vadditional impetus to the tumbler to carry it fully to its discharging position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. When such position-is approached, thelocking .member 44 will engage the cam surfaceof the latch 48 to depress the latter, and Vthe member 44 will move into engagement with and be stopped by the Astop member 49, the latch 48 snapping into position behind the locking member 44. Thus the `tumbler will be locked in its discharged position.

content has been If the door and 2|, hand rails 22 and motor 38 are mounted to turn as a unit about the axis of the trunnions 20.

`Obviouslythe motor 38 maintains its position with respect to the tumbler in all positions of the latter and accordingly the motor can continue to operate to rotate the tumbler about the axis of the shaft 28 regardless ofthe position of the tumbler. Therefore the motor 38 not only rotates the tumbler to perform the tumbling operation while the tumbler is in its normal operative position, but also rotates it to discharge the articles therefrom when the tumbler is in the discharging position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. A suitable table or the like (not shown) is arranged in a position to receive the articles from the tumbler when the latter is in the discharging position referred to, and the rotation oi' the tumbler by the motor 38 lifts and drops the articles so that they are freely and quickly discharged from the tumbler; whereupon the latter may be returned to its normal position to be reloaded.

As is true in my prior patented construction referred to, the trunnions 20 are mounted above the horizontal plane of the shaft 28 when the tumbler is in its normal operative position. Accordingly the tumbler may be loaded at a relatively low level and unloaded at a relatively high level as distinguished from some prior constructions wherein it was necessary to lift the weight of the wet articles to a substantial height to load the tumbler, discharge the articles at a relatively low level into abasket or the like, and again lift them to a proper position to be fed to the ironers. In the-present case, the 'loading action is greatly facilitated by the use of the tube |41 which is arranged at such a low level as to permit it to be readily filled with'articles ready` to be dumped into the tumbler.

From the foregoing it will be apparent thatv the present apparatus embodies all of the desirable characteristics of my prior construction so far as the effective shaking out of the articles is concerned, but possesses substantial additional advantages as to heat and moisture control. Articles which contain approximately the proper amount of moisture for ironing can be shaken out and heated without noticeable loss of moisture content by operating the apparatus with the damper 14 and door |36 in the positions shown in dotted lines in Figure '7. Heavy articles containing too much moisture for ironing can have the moisture content thereof reduced to the proper point by altering the positions of "the damper 14 and door |36 in the manner described,` and after the moisture content has been reduced to the proper point, the damper 14 and door |36 may be restored to the solid line positions shown in 'Figure 7. With either class of articles, it will be apparent that the operation ofthe apparatus is such that the articles are discharged from theA tumbler in a thoroughly loosened'condition containing the proper amount of moisture for iron,

ing-andat a relatively high temperature so as to avoid any chilling of the ironers. These factors therefore are such as to permit the ironing action to be very quickly and effectively carried out.

It will be apparent that the controlling of the various parts of the apparatus involves simple operations which are easily carried out. The depression of either of the pedals 53 or 64 releases the tumbler for movement either to its normal to its discharginglposition, 4and in either case, the conduit 88 will be automatically It will be apparent that the tumbler, the discs when said conduit section is articles having a substantial water I moved away from its normal position, thus freeing the tumbler for turning movementon the trunnions 20. The movement of the conduit 93 to its inoperative position is eiected automativention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in thel shape, size and arrangement of-parts may be made without departing from the vspirit of the invention or the scope o f the subjoined claims.

I claim: 1.\An article conditioning apparatus for laundries, comprising a tumbler 'adapted to contain articles having a substantial water content, means for supporting said tumbler for axial rotation, said tumbler having an opening at one end, a circulatory system for supplying air to the said end of said tumbler and for withdrawing lair from 'said tumbler at a point spaced from said end, said system comprising a conduit section connected` to normally communicate with said opening and mounted to move therefrom, and means for supporting said tumbler for movement to an article dumping position when said conduit section is moved from said opening.

2. An article conditioning apparatus ,for laundries, comprising atumbler adapted to contain articles having a vsubstantial water content, means for supporting said tumbler for axial rotation, said tumbler having an opening at one end, a circulatory system for supplying air to the said end of said tumbler and for withdrawing air 1 `from said tumbler at a point spaced from said end, said system comprising a conduit section `connected to normally communicate with said opening and mounted to move therefrom, means in said system for heating air supplied to said tumbler, and means for supporting said tumbler for movement to an article dumping position moved from said opening.

3. An article conditioning apparatus for laundries, comprising a tumbler adapted to contain content, means for supporting said tumbler for axial rotation, said tumbler having an opening at one end, a circulatory system for supplying air to the said endof said tumbler and for withdrawing air from said tumbler at a point spaced from said end, said system comprising a conduit section connected to normally communicate with said opening and mounted to move therefrom, an outlet connected to said circulatory system, a damper for diverting to said outlet at least a portion of the air withdrawn from said tumbler, means operable for admitting outside air into said sys'- l tem when said last named means is in a position diverting at least a part of the air to said outlet, and means for supporting said tumbler for movement to an article dumping .position when said conduit section is' moved from said opening.

v4. An -article conditioning apparatus for laun-l dries, comprising a tumbler adapted to contain articles having a substantial water content, `means for supporting said tumbler for axial rotation, said tumbler having an opening at one end, a circulatory system for supplying air to the said end o1 said tumbler and for withdrawing air opening and mounted to move therefrom, means i biasing said conduit section for movement away from said tumbler, and means -normally latching said conduit section in operative position communicating with said opening.

5. An article conditioningapparatus for laundries, comprising a tumbler adapted to contain articles having a Vsubstantial. water content, means for supporting said tumbler for axial rotation, said tumbler having. a n opening at one vend, a circulatory system for supplying air to the said end of said tumblerA and for withdrawingair from said tumbler at a point spaced from said l end, said system comprising a lconduit section connected to normally communicate with said opening and mounted to move therefrom, and a damper having mechanical' connection with said conduit section to be operated upon movement of said conduit section away from said opening l for stopping the passage of air from said conduit section.

6. An article conditioning apparatus for laundries, comprising a tumbler adapted to contain articles having a substantial water content,

- means for supporting said tumbler for axial rotation, said tumbler having an opening `at one end, a circulatory system for supplying air to the said end of said tumbler and for withdrawing air from said tumbler at la point spaced from said end, said system comprising a conduit section connected to normally communicate with said opening and mounted to move therefrom, and means for supporting said tumbler for turning movement between normal and discharging positions on an axis perpendicular to the rotation oi the axis of said tumbler, said conduit section being movable into communication with said opening when said tumbler is in Vnormal position.

7. An article conditioning apparatus for laundries, comprising a tumbler adapted to contain articles having a substantial water content,` means for .supporting said tumbler for axial rotation, said tumbler having an opening at one end, a. circulatory system for supplying air to the said end of said tumbler and for withdrawing air from said vtumbler at a point spaced from said end, said system comprising a conduit `section connected to normally communicate with said opening and mounted to move therefrom, means biasing said conduit section for movement away from said tumbler, means normally latching said conduit section in operative position communi-l cating with said opening, means for supporting said tumbler `for turning movement between Vnormal and discharging positions on an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said tumbler, said conduit section beingmovable'into communicating engagement withsaid tumbler when the latter is in normal position, means for latching raid tumbler in normal position, and means connected to simultaneously release both of said latching means.

8. An article conditioning apparatus for laundries, comprising'a tumbler adapted to contain articles having a substantial water content, means for supporting said tumbler foraxial rotation, said tumbler having an opening at one end, a circulatory system forV supplying airV to .the said ing air from said tumbler at a point spaced from end of said tumbler and for withdrawsaid end, said system comprising a conduit section connected to normally communicate withy `communicating `with said opening, means for supporting said tumbler for turning movement between normal and discharging positions on an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said tumbler, .said conduit section being movable into communicating engagement with said tumbler when the latter is'in normal position, means for latching said tumbler in normal position, means connected to simultaneously release both of said latching means, and a'damper in said circulatory system connected to be operated by said conduit section upon movement thereof away from said opening to stop the now of air from said conduit section.

9. An article conditioning apparatus for laun dries, comprising a tumbler having its axis normally substantially horizontal and mounted for rotation on such axis, one end of said tumbler having an axial opening, the other end having a manifold formed by a stationary wall and a perforated wall spaced therefrom and communieating with the interior of said tumbler, said stationary wall having an outlet opening below the axis of rotation of said tumbler, a circulatory system for said tumbler comprising an outlet conduit normally contacting said stationary wall and communicating with said outlet opening, said system further comprising an inlet conduit normally engaging the rst named end of said tumbler and communicating with said axial` opening, means for supporting said inlet conduit for movement away from said axial opening, and means for supporting said tumbler for turning movement between its normal position and a discharging position on an axis perpendicular to and arranged above the axis of rotation of said tumbler. Y

10. An article conditioning apparatus for laundries, comprising a tumbler having its axis normally substantially horizontal and mounted for rotation on such axis, one end of said tumbler having an axial opening, the other end' having a manifold formed by a stationary wall and a perforated wall spaced therefrom and communicating with the interior of said tumbler, said stationary wall having anoutlet opening below the axis of rotation of said tumbler, a circulatory system for said tumbler comprising anoutlet conduit normally contacting saidstationary wall and communicating with said outlet opening, said system further comprising an inlet conduit normally engaging the first named end of said tumbler and communicating with said axial opening, meansfor supporting said inlet conduit for movement away from -said axial opening, means for supporting said tumblerfor turning movement between its Vnormalr position and a discharging position onan axis perpendicular to and arranged above the axis of rotation of said tumbler, means for heating air passing through said circulatory system.. and means for closing communication through said inlet conduit when the latter is moved away from said axial openmg. Y

11. An article conditioning apparatus for laundries, comprising a tumbler adapted to contain articles having a lsubstantial water content, means for supporting said tumbler for axial rotation, said tumbler having spaced openings, a circulatory system for supplying air to said tumbler through one of said vopenings and forwithdrawing air `from said tumbler through the other opening, said system comprising a conduit section connected to normally `communicate with one of said openings and mounted to move therefrom, and means for supporting said tumbler for movement to a position for dumping articles from one` of said openings when said conduit section is moved away from itsI associated opening.

12. An article conditioning apparatus for laundries, comprisinga tumbler adapted to contain articles having a substantial water content, means for supporting said tumbler for axial rotation, said tumbler having spaced openings one of which is relatively large for the introduction of articles into said tumbler and arranged at one end of said tumbler, a circulatory system for supplying air to said tumbler through one of said openings and for withdrawing air from said tumbler through the other opening, said system comprising aconduit section connected to normally communicate with said relatively large opening and mounted to move therefrom, and means for supporting said tumbler for movement to a position for discharging articles through said relatively large opening when said conduit section is moved away from such opening.

13. An article conditioning apparatus for laundries, comprising a tumbler adapted tovcontain articles having a substantial water content, means for supporting said tumbler fqr axial rotation, said tumbler having spaced openings, a circulatory system for supplying air to said tum- Vbler through one of said openings and for with- .,drawing air from said tumbler through the other opening, said system comprising a conduit section connected to normally communicate with one of said openings and mountedto move therefrom, means for heating air passing through said circulatory system, and means for supporting said tumbler for movement to a position for dumping articles from one of said openings when said conduit section is moved away from its associated opening.

14. An article conditioning apparatus for laundries, comprising a tumbler adapted to contain articles having a substantial water content, means for supporting said tumbler for axial rotation, said tumbler having spaced openings one of which is relatively large for the introductionv of articles into said tumbler and arranged at one end of said tumbler, a circulatory system for supplying air to said tumbler through one of said openings and for withdrawing air from said tumbler through the other opening, said system comprising a conduit section connected to normally communicate with said relatively large opening and mounted to move therefrom, means for heating air passing through said circulatory system, and means for supporting said tumbler for movement to a position for discharging articles through said relatively large opening when said conduit section is moved away from such opening.

15. An article conditioning apparatus for laundries, comprising a tumbler adapted to'contain articles having a substantial water content, means for supporting said tumbler for axial rotation, said tumbler having spaced openings, a

circulatory system for supplying air to said tumtion connected to normally communicate with one of said openings and mounted to move therefrom, an exhaust connected to said circulatory system, a damper controllable for discharging through said exhaust at least a portion of the air i withdrawn from said tumbler, means operable forvadmitting outside air into said system when saiddamper is in aposition diverting at least a part of the air to said outlet, and means for supporting 'said tumbler for movement to a position for dumping articles from one of4 said tem for supplying air to said tumbler through one of said openings and for withdrawing air from said `tumbler through the other` opening,

said lsystem comprising a conduit section con` nected to normally communicate with said rela# tively large opening and mounted to move therefrom, an exhaust connected to Said circulatory system, a damper controllable for discharging through said exhaust at least a portion of 'the air withdrawn from said tumbler, means operable for admitting outsideair into sai system when said damper is in a position diver g at leastv a part of the air to said outlet, Yand means for supporting said tumbler for movement to a postion for discharging articles through said reif, atively large opening when said conduit section is moved away from such opening.

" EDWARD D. PURKETT. 

